Note: I closely monitored all interactions to make sure no harm came
to kitten or ferrets.

A stray kitten arrived in our neighborhood Sunday. She took up
residence under my neighbors vehicle then found my bumper quite
accomodating. I put kitty food on the pedestal in my yard. She inched
over, I inched back. She watched cautiously as she gobbled down the
food. Monday when I put out fresh food and water I brought out one of
the ferrets. Screech was thrilled. The kitty walked up and watched as
Screech danced around the porch. They touched noses for a second but
that's all the time Screech would allow, there were lots of things to
explore! As he danced around the porch the kitten sat under the chair
safe and secure, or so she thought. Screech danced in wild abandonement
and the kitten darted out as Screech bumped into her. She followed at
a safe distance as he danced down the ramp and onto the grass. Screech
got a little too rambunctious for my comfort so I took him back in. On
Tuesday out came Skippy. The kitten was on the porch and as old blind
Skippy darted out the door they touched noses. Skippy is spry for an
oldster and is the kind of ferret that you can put in a childs arms and
never worry. The kitten rubbed up against him as he continued on his
porch exploration. After that the kitten loved me. I contacted a county
hs member and they had room in their adoption program so on Wednesday
night because it was cold and rainy I outfitted a Marshalls townhouse
that was sitting on my porch, put the kitty in it and rolled it into
the house.

Oh my goodness! The ferrets wouldn't leave the cage alone! The kitten
sat on the top level and would touch noses, purr, and rub against the
cage whenever the ferrets climbed up the side to her level. The ferrets
had mixed reactions, and little Spawn frizzed up her tail and HISSSED
at the kitty as she desperately tried to get in the cage. :-) Spawn is
a tiny stocky female so it was quite funny to see her trying to menace
the kitty who was sitting contently looking only mildly interested.

Sully, the ferret mafia godfather, was very upset. He picked on his own
followers who are all in the ferret mafia and have to be separated from
the main group because of aggression. Onyx reared back and frizzed his
tail and pushed himself as far back into my chest as he could - this is
the ferret that will battle to the death with another ferret if I'd let
him, but appears to be frightened of a kitten. Ssshhhh don't tell the
others or he'll lose face!

I had to put the pen up around the cage before I went to bed to keep
the ferrets off it. Even though the kitty was trying really hard to be
my kitty it wouldn't be safe for her with the beasties I have so this
morning I dropped her off at the vet for her check up and shots before
she was picked up by the humane society.

I tried to get pictures but my digital camera died and I have another
so I only have the story to share.

What a night!

tle
www.ferretfamilyservices.org

[Posted in FML 6084]